Emergency supply system to supplant interrupted public and private utilities

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001This invention relates, generally, to emergency systems for a supply of water, electric power, and hydrocarbon fuels used for cooking and/or heating. More particularly, the invention relates to such emergency systems having interrelated and shared components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002Potable water, electric power and natural gas are typically provided to individual subscribers by public utility companies. The term “public utility” denotes that the public receives either the water, power or gas from the companies, but does not imply that those companies are necessarily publically owned, as they may be either publically or privately owned. In the event of an emergency, such as an earthquake or other catastrophic event, public utility delivery systems for potable water, natural gas, and electric power are likely to be disrupted. If such an emergency event were to occur, a lack of potable water would likely be of most immediate concern. However, if the event were to occur in a time of freezing weather, a lack of natural gas (or an alternative replacement fuel) and/or electric power might conceivably pose a life-threatening situation. In terms of criticality, the most logical order for most foreseeable situations is: firstly, a lack of potable water; secondly, a lack of electric power; and thirdly, unavailability of a hydrocarbon fuel gas such as natural gas, propane, or liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Unavailability of a hydrocarbon fuel gas would, in most cases, be less threatening than a lack of electric power, as electric power may be converted to heat with inexpensive resistance-type electric heaters. However, due to the cost per term of heat generated via electrical resistance, it may be prohibitively expensive to heat an entire house in freezing weather with electrical resistance heating. Thus, it may be desirable to drain all of the water lines in the structure if the supply of natural gas is disrupted for more than several hours during freezing weather, and no alternative supply of a replacement hydrocarbon fuel gas is readily available. However, even with access to a replacement hydrocarbon fuel gas, such as LPG, propane, or butane, most modern forced-air natural gas furnaces are inoperable without electric power.

0003In U.S. Pat. No. 3,095,893 to J. Martin, an Emergency Water Storage Tank System for Use in Buildings is disclosed. The system includes multiple water tanks having inlet and outlet pipes connected in series, the inlet pipe of the first of the storage tanks being connected to the water main, and the outlet pipes of the storage tanks being connected to the plumbing facilities.

0004In U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,474 to Boegli, an Emergency Reserve Water and Foam Generating System is disclosed. The system includes a storage tank which is continually replenished form the water main. In the event of fire, a regulated source of high pressure gas is supplied to the tank to expel the water at high pressure through a high expansion foam generator, the foam outlet of which communicates with the spaces of the building or other installation in which the system is installed.

0005In U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,452 to D. W. Maitland, an Emergency Potable Water Storage System is disclosed. The system includes a generally cylindrical water tank, an inlet and discharge fitting coupled to an opening in the uppermost portion of the tank, a drain fitting coupled to an opening in the lowermost portion of the tank, and a check valve in line with the inlet fitting, which functions as an anti-siphon valve in the event of a pressure drop at the inlet. The inlet fitting is coupled to a faucet via a garden hose.

0006In U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,789 to K. Benscoter, an Emergency Water Reservoir is disclosed. The reservoir is connected between a municipal water supply line and a hot water heater tank for a building. In times of emergency, water can be drawn directly from the reservoir.

0007The focus of emergency preparedness has been potable water. What is needed is an integrated emergency backup system for potable water, electricity and heating fuel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0008An integrated emergency back-up system for a building, such as a residence, is provided which includes an electric generator of any type. The electric generator may be powered by an internal combustion engine or by a wind turbine. Alternatively, the electric generator may utilize solar cells, fuel cells, or any other comparable source of electric power. A preferred embodiment of the emergency back-up system includes an electric storage battery which may be charged by the electric generator. In the case of an electric generator powered by an internal combustion engine, the battery provides power to start the engine of the generator when a voltage sensor detects a catastrophic drop in line voltage. In the case of electric generators, such as wind turbines or solar cells, which produce output of variable and unpredictable intensity, the electric storage battery may be used to store power that may be subsequently converted to alternating current on demand. Alternatively, one or more fuel cells may be employed to produce electric power. For one embodiment of the invention, a main circuit breaker may be automatically shut off with, for example, a solenoid, once locally generated or stored electrical power is fed to the building to prevent the locally generated or stored power from being fed into the distribution grid. Alternatively, a manual power transfer switch may be employed. The back-up system may also include a fuel tank for holding a supply of hydrocarbon fuel, which can be used to fuel both the internal combustion engine which drives the generator and the furnace(s) used to heat the building. The back-up system further comprises a holding tank which stores a compressed gas, such as air or carbon dioxide. An electrically-powered air compressor may be employed to maintain a supply of compressed air in the holding tank.

0009In addition, the back-up system includes at least one water storage reservoir for potable water that is coupled to the water main through an anti-siphon valve. The anti-siphon valve cuts off the connection to the water main when the pressure in the water main drops below a set value, thereby preventing water from the water storage reservoir(s) from being depleted through siphoning. There is also a readily-accessible shut-off valve (in addition to the water utility shut-off valve next to the water meter), with which the supply water from the municipal water supply may be cut if, for example, it is contaminated. With the municipal water supply cut off, water for the building is drawn from the water storage reservoirs. Until the municipal water supply is considered safe, or restored, the water in the water storage reservoirs can be replenished from safe sources. Each water storage reservoir is equipped with a first hose bib or valve and connector, at the top thereof, through which the reservoir may be filled from a truck-mounted tank or other replenishing system, and a second hose bib or valve and connector at the bottom thereof, through which the reservoir maybe drained. If multiple water storage reservoirs are used, they are coupled in series so that water flows from the first to the second, the second to the third, and so on, thereby ensuring that each reservoir is continually replenished with a supply of non-stagnant water from the water main during periods of normal daily operation. Compressed air from the holding tank is fed to the first water storage reservoir so as to provide water pressure for the stored emergency water. Alternatively, pressurization of stored potable water may be accomplished with a liquified pressurized gas, such as carbon dioxide, or any other source of pressurization.

0010The gas line to the building may incorporate a seismic shut-off valve. If the seismic shut-off valve is actuated, it must be manually reset to ensure that any gas leaks in the building are repaired before the gas supply is restored. In addition, a sensor in the natural gas main detects the loss of gas pressure and switches the gas line to the building from the main line to the fuel tank until pressure is restored. The switches may be solenoid controlled. Power from the battery or fuel cell(s) supplies the power for switch activation. In order to keep local power generation requirements at an acceptable level, back-up electric power is fed to only selected circuit breakers, which ensures that a maximum load will not exceed the rated capacity of the back-up generator. Such selected circuit breakers may include lighting circuits, circuits used for gas furnace operation, an air compressor circuit, circuits used for microwave ovens, and other essential circuits having relatively low loads. Those which most likely will not be connected to back-up electric power include high-amperage circuits used for appliances such as electric hot-water heaters, ovens and ranges, and electric clothes dryers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a side elevational view of a building having a preferred embodiment of an integrated utilities back-up system; and

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a schematic of the electrical portion of the integrated utilities back-up system.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

0013Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a preferred embodiment of an integrated emergency back-up system for a building, such as a residence <b>101</b>, that is normally supplied with culinary water, electric power and natural gas by one or more public utility companies, includes a pair of series connected water storage reservoirs <b>102</b>A and <b>102</b>B, an air compressor <b>103</b>, an electric generator <b>104</b>, a fuel storage tank <b>105</b> for liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The electric generator may be powered by an internal combustion engine, a wind turbine, or any other available source of rotational energy. Alternatively, the electric generator may utilize solar cells or fuel cells.

0014As most residential heating systems (furnaces) are fired by natural gas provided by a utility distribution grid, it would be ideal if natural gas could be stored in quantities sufficient to meet emergency demands. However, the major component of natural gas is methane, and long-term storage of liquified methane is impractical, at best, as it condenses at a temperature of approximately −162° C. (−260° F.). Hydrocarbon fuels for emergency supplies must, therefore, be limited to those which can be safely stored as liquids at ambient temperatures. Such fuels include Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), ethanol, kerosene and diesel fuel. LPG is the generic name for commercial propane and commercial butane. These are hydrocarbon products produced by the oil and gas industries. Commercial Propane predominantly consists of hydrocarbons containing three carbon atoms, mainly propane (C₃H₈), while commercial butane predominantly consists of hydrocarbons containing four carbon atoms, mainly n- and iso-butanes (C₄H₁₀). They have the special properties of becoming liquid at atmospheric temperature if moderately compressed, and reverting to gases when the pressure is sufficiently reduced. Compressed, liquified LPG is roughly 250 times as dense as when gasified. Butane is usually supplied to customers in cylinders; propane can be supplied either in cylinders or in bulk for storage in tanks at the customer's premises.

0015Most residential heating systems can be converted, by adjusting the size of the gas jets, to burn either natural gas or LPG. As most electronically-controlled furnaces require accurate adjustment of fuel delivery rates to properly function, or even function at all, a switch from a natural gas supply to a propane supply would necessarily require a concurrent installation of gas jets sized for efficient use of propane as a fuel. The use of ethanol, kerosene or diesel fuel as a furnace fuel would require the use of heating equipment dedicated to the use of that fuel. In order to minimize the expense of implementing an emergency back-up system, a gas furnace operable with natural gas in a normal mode, and with LPG as a back-up fuel, is considered the most cost-effective equipment.

0016Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the water storage reservoirs <b>102</b>A/<b>102</b>B and the air compressor <b>103</b> are the major components of an emergency potable water storage system. Potable water, which is received from the municipal water main <b>106</b> through a first shut-off valve <b>107</b> and a water meter <b>108</b>, is transported to the building <b>101</b> via a service pipe <b>109</b>. The water passes through an anti-siphon valve <b>110</b>, which cuts off the connection to the water main when the pressure in the water main drops below a set value, thereby preventing water from either the building's plumbing or from the water storage reservoir(s) <b>102</b>A/<b>102</b>B from being drawn into the water main <b>106</b> by siphon action. From the anti-siphon valve <b>110</b>, the water passes through a second shut-off valve <b>111</b>. The second shut-off valve <b>111</b> is a readily accessible valve which can be used to isolate the residence <b>101</b> from the municipal water supply if, for example, the municipal water supply is contaminated. With the municipal water supply cut off, water for the residence <b>101</b> is drawn from the water storage reservoirs <b>102</b>A/<b>102</b>B. Until the municipal water supply is considered safe, the water in the water storage reservoirs <b>102</b>A/<b>102</b>B can be replenished from safe sources. From the second shut-off valve <b>111</b>, the water is transported either through a third shut-off valve <b>112</b> into an emergency water feed line <b>113</b>, or through a fourth shut-off valve <b>114</b> into a bypass line <b>115</b>, which delivers potable water to the building's plumbing directly from the municipal water main <b>106</b>. If the water is routed through the emergency water feed line <b>113</b>, it enters the top of the first water storage reservoir <b>102</b>A. The bottom of the first water storage reservoir <b>102</b>A is coupled to the top of the second water storage reservoir <b>102</b>B via an interconnect line <b>116</b>. An output line <b>117</b> couples the bottom of the second water storage reservoir <b>102</b>B to the building feed line <b>118</b>. An isolation valve <b>119</b> permits the water storage reservoirs <b>102</b>A and <b>102</b>B to be isolated from the building feed line <b>118</b> in the event of a leak or need to repair the reservoirs or connecting plumbing. The top of each water storage reservoir (<b>102</b>A and <b>102</b>B) is fitted with a fill valve <b>120</b> and a hose bib <b>121</b>, which permits each reservoir to be filled from a tanker truck or other similar portable source. Likewise, the bottom of each water storage reservoir is fitted with a drain valve <b>122</b>, which permits each water storage reservoir (<b>102</b>A or <b>102</b>B) to be manually drained. A high-pressure air line <b>123</b> connects the air compressor <b>103</b> to the top of the first water storage reservoir <b>102</b>A, so that water pressure can be maintained for emergency potable water stored in the first water storage reservoir <b>102</b>A and the second water storage reservoir <b>102</b>B. It will be noted that a pressure gauge <b>149</b> is installed in both the emergency water feed line <b>113</b> and the interconnect line <b>116</b>, so that air pressure within each water storage reservoir <b>102</b>A or <b>102</b>B may be monitored. If more than two water storage reservoirs are used, they are coupled in series so that water flows from the first to the second, the second to the third, and so on, thereby ensuring that each reservoir is continually replenished with a supply of non-stagnant water from the water main during every-day, non-emergency-mode operation. A one-way check valve <b>124</b> prevents water from flowing through the high-pressure air line <b>123</b> and into the tank of the air compressor <b>103</b> if the tank is not pressurized to a value greater than the line service pressure. In addition a bleed valve <b>125</b> allows air pressure to be released from the high-pressure air line <b>123</b> for gravity draining of the water storage reservoirs <b>102</b>A and <b>102</b>B through drain valve <b>122</b>. Furthermore, a quick disconnect union <b>126</b> in the high-pressure air line <b>123</b> allows quick decoupling of the air compressor <b>103</b> from the emergency back-up system.

0017Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, power for the building <b>101</b> is normally received at a main disconnect/circuit breaker box <b>127</b> from an electric utility company through a municipal electric main supply line <b>128</b> feeds a main breaker box <b>127</b>. However, backup electric power from the electric generator <b>104</b> is not routed directly to the main disconnect/circuit breaker box <b>127</b>, but rather is routed to a load distribution and transfer switch box <b>129</b> via a back-up electrical supply line <b>130</b> through a first quick-disconnect electrical connector <b>131</b>, which allows the electric generator <b>104</b> to be disconnected from the load distribution box <b>129</b> and used for other applications, such as camping or construction work, when power from the electric utility company through the municipal electric main supply line <b>128</b> is available. Essential circuits for the building <b>101</b> are routed into the load distribution box <b>129</b>. It will be noted that the air compressor is coupled to electrical circuit <b>132</b>. A second quick-disconnect electrical connector <b>133</b>, such as a standard three-prong plug, permits the air compressor <b>103</b> to be quickly disconnected from electrical circuit <b>132</b> so that the air compressor <b>103</b> may be used for other tasks when not needed to provide water pressure for the emergency potable water supply. From the load distribution and transfer switch box <b>129</b>, power is fed to only selected circuit breakers in the main disconnect/circuit breaker box <b>127</b> through a conduit coupling <b>134</b>. By feeding backup power to only selected essential circuits, on-site emergency power generation requirements are minimized so that power demand will not exceed the rated capacity of the electric generator <b>104</b>. This will be subsequently explained in greater detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> of the drawings. For a preferred embodiment of the emergency back-up system, the electric generator <b>104</b> is also coupled to an electrical storage battery <b>135</b> through a rectifier <b>136</b>, which enables the charge on the battery <b>135</b> to be maintained by the electric generator <b>104</b>. The rectifier <b>136</b> also permits charging of the electrical storage battery <b>135</b> with electrical power received through the municipal electric main supply line <b>128</b>. The battery <b>135</b> may be utilized to start the internal combustion engine of the electric generator <b>104</b>, or may be used for various solenoid switching tasks related to power distribution and the selection of particular fuel sources. Through terminals <b>137</b>, other alternating current power sources, such as generators or alternators driven by wind, hydroelectric, or steam turbines, may be coupled to the electrical storage battery <b>135</b>. The power stored in the battery <b>135</b> may also be converted to alternating current with a DC-AC converter (not shown) and used to power certain devices within the building <b>101</b>. It should also be understood a fuel cell may replace the battery <b>135</b> under circumstances where sporadically generated electric current (as, for example, from a wind turbine) need not be stored. It is well known in the art that fuel cells produce direct current.

0018Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the fuel storage tank <b>105</b> includes a pressure regulator <b>138</b>, through which fuel is delivered to the internal combustion engine of the electric generator <b>104</b> through a generator fuel supply tine <b>139</b>, and to the gas lines of the building <b>101</b> through an auxiliary gas shut-off valve <b>140</b>, an emergency gas supply line <b>141</b>, a router valve <b>142</b>, and a seismic gas shut-off valve <b>143</b>. The later protects the building <b>101</b> from explosive conditions which might result from leaks in gas lines caused by earthquakes of significant magnitude. Many examples of seismic shut-off valves are known in the art, and are typically reset manually, thereby ensuring that any gas leaks in the building will be repaired before the gas supply is restored thereto. The municipal gas main <b>144</b> is coupled to a gas meter <b>145</b> and to a main gas shut-off valve <b>146</b>. Natural gas passing through the main gas shut-off valve <b>146</b> is fed to the router valve <b>142</b> and the seismic shut-off valve <b>143</b> through a non-emergency gas supply line <b>147</b>. Gas feed line <b>148</b> feeds gas to a furnace <b>149</b> within the building <b>101</b>.

0019Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the router valve <b>142</b> may be manually operated, or it may contain a sensor which detects a loss of gas pressure in the municipal gas main <b>144</b>, and automatically switches the gas supply from the municipal gas main <b>144</b> to the fuel storage tank <b>105</b> until pressure in the municipal gas main <b>144</b> is restored. The router valve <b>142</b> may be solenoid controlled. Power from either the battery or the municipal electric grid supplies the power for switch activation.

0020Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, in order to keep on-site emergency power generation requirements at an acceptable level, back-up electric power is fed to only selected circuit breakers, which ensures that a maximum load will not exceed the rated capacity of the back-up generator. Such an arrangement is achieved by routing the output from the generator <b>104</b>, that is carried by the backup electrical supply line <b>130</b>, to the load distribution box <b>129</b>. The first quick-disconnect electrical connector <b>131</b> allows the electric generator <b>104</b> to be disconnected from the backup electrical supply line <b>130</b> and from the emergency back-up system. An exemplary load distribution box <b>129</b> contains eight three-position disconnect switches SW<b>1</b> through SW<b>8</b>. Odd numbered switches (i.e., SW<b>1</b>, SW<b>3</b>, SW<b>5</b> and SW<b>7</b>) are connected to the first backup hot bus bar <b>201</b>A, while even numbered switches (i.e., SW<b>2</b>, SW<b>4</b>, SW<b>6</b>, and SW<b>8</b>) are connected to the second backup hot bus bar <b>201</b>B. The central switch position is “POWER OFF”. On one side of the “OFF” position is the “LINE” position, which supplies electrical power to that circuit from the public utility. On the opposite side of the “OFF” position is the generator or “GEN” position, which supplies backup power to that circuit from the electric generator <b>104</b>. The “GEN” position of each switch SW<b>1</b> through SW<b>8</b> includes an internal circuit breaker (not shown) for protecting the generator from electrical overloads. The hot wire of eight essential circuits C<b>1</b> through C<b>8</b> are shown. Hot wire C<b>8</b> pertains to the electrical circuit <b>132</b>, which is used for the air compressor and possibly the gas furnace. Each of the eight hot wires C<b>1</b> through C<b>8</b> has associated therewith a neutral wire N and a ground wire G. However, the neutral and ground wires of only electrical circuit <b>132</b> are shown in this simplified schematic. A hot connector wire H<b>1</b> through H<b>8</b> respectively connects the “LINE” output from each three position switch SW<b>1</b> through SW<b>8</b> to an associated circuit breaker in the main disconnect/circuit breaker box <b>127</b>. Ampere gauges GA<b>1</b> and GA<b>2</b> measure amperage draw on each hot leg output of the electric generator <b>104</b>, so that relative load balance may be achieved between the two output legs.

0021Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, an exemplary main disconnect/circuit breaker box <b>127</b> contains forty-two circuit breakers CB<b>1</b> through CB<b>42</b>, twenty-one of which (CB<b>1</b> through CB<b>21</b>) are located on the left side of the panel, and twenty-one of which (CB<b>22</b> through CB<b>42</b>) are located on the right side of the panel. As shown in the drawing <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, power from the three-position switches SW<b>1</b> through SW<b>8</b> is fed to circuit breakers CB<b>22</b>, CB<b>24</b>, CB<b>27</b>, CB<b>29</b>, CB<b>33</b>, CB<b>34</b>, CB<b>41</b>, and C<b>11</b>, respectively. The selected circuit breakers may provide power to circuits used for lighting, microwave oven(s), gas furnace control, the air compressor <b>103</b>, and other essential circuits having relatively low-resistance loads. Those which most likely will not be connected to back-up electric power include high-amperage circuits used for appliances with electrical resistance heating, such as electric hot-water heaters, ovens and ranges, and electric clothes dryers.

0022Although only several embodiments of the emergency supply system have been heretofore described, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.